The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-09
The FISHERIES UyION'S
LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLEVE-
LAND ANSWERED BY Rim.
He Urges Those Engaged In Fishing
to Act JudIclously and Strengthen
the Position Takens

w AbHISGTON, ApTll o.-1uo ITtb-
dent having received communics-
ton from the American Fisheries
Union OF Massachusetts,, calling a.
tention 10 the fisheries dispute, and
suggesting that ihs retaliation act
passed by The late Congress would, in
their opinion, be sufficiently executed
il the proposed retention was confined
TO the closing OF United States markets
to Canadian fish products, he has
made the following answer:
Executive MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April 7, 1857.
George Steele, President American Fishers
Union, and others, Gloucester, Mass.
GENTLRMRN-I have received your
letter lately addressed to me, and have
gwen full consideration to the express
sion of the views aud wishes thereiR
contained in relation 10 the existing
diff rences between the Government
Of Great Britain and the United States,
growing out of the refusal to award to
our citizens epgsged in fishing enter
iprises the privileges to which they are
entitled either under tT atty stipula-
tions or the guarantees If international
comfy and neighborly concession. /
sincerely trust tina apprehension you
express, of unjust and unfIiendly
treatment OF American fishermen law
fully found in Canadian waters, will
not be rCatzad. But if such appre-
tensions should prove to be we'll
founded, l earnestly hops that no
fault or iDconsiderats act OF any of
our ct;8sns will in the lesst weaken
the just position Of our government,
or deprive us of the universal sym.
PATTY and support to which we should
be entitled. The action OF this sd.
ministration since June, 1885, when
the fishery articles Of the treaty Of
1871 were terminated under the mott
fication which had two years before
been given by our government, has
been fully disclosed by the cores
pondencs between the representatives
and the appropriate depaltn euts o.
the respective governments, with
which / en- spprised by your letter
you are entirely familiar. An exami-
nation Of this correspondence has
doubtless satisfied you that in no case
have the rights or pr vilegss Of
American fishermen been over
the contrary, they have oeen
sedulously insisted upon and cared
for by every means within the
control OF the executive branch of the
government. The ACT of Congre 90 ap-
proved Ma Oh 8, 1887, authorizing
course of retaliation through execu.
tive actioo, in the event OF coutinu-
ance on the part OF thu British Ameri-
can authorities of unfriendly conduct
and rssty violations aft citing Ameri-
cen fishermen, has devolved upon
the President of the United States ex
ceedingly grave and solemn RESPONSE.
bililies compromising highly i'm
portant consequences to our national
character and dignity, and involving
extremely valuable commercial inter-
course between the British possessions
of North America and the people of
the United States. l understand the
main purpose of your letter is to suz-
gest that in case recourse to the re- al
iatory measures authorized by this act
should be invited by unjust treatment
of our fishermen in the future, the
object OF such retaliation might be
fully accomplished by prohibiting
Canadian caught fish from entry into
the ports OF the United States" The
existing controversy is one in
which two nations are the par
ties concerned. The retaliation
contemplated by the act of Congress
is to be enforced, not TO protect solely
any particular interest, however merl-
torious or valuable, but to maint ain
the national honor and thus protect
all our people. In this view, the vio-
lation Of American fishery rights and
unjust or unfIiendly acts toward a
portion of our citizens engaged in this
bust ess is but the occasion for action,
and constitutes national affront,
which gives birth to, or may justify
retaliation. This measure, once re-
sorted 10, it's effectiveness and value
may well depend upon the thorough
ness sud extent OF its application;
and to the performance Of interns-
tionsl duties, the enforcement of in
ternational rights and the protection of
our citizens, this government and the
people Of the United States must act
as a unit--all intent upon obtaining
the best result OF retaliation upon the
basis of maintenance of national
honor and duty. A nation seeking by
any means to maintain it's honor, dig
nifty and integrity is engaged in pro-
tecting the rights Of its people and if
in such efforts particular inter
ests are injured and special advantages
forfeited, these things should be patri-
officially borne for the public good. An
immense volume Of population, man
ufsCtures and agricultural productions,
and the marine tonnage and railways
to which these have given activity, all
are largely theresut of intercourse be-
tween the United Safes and British
America, and ike natural growth OF a
full half century Of good neighborhood
and friendly communication, from an
aggregate of material wealth and Incl
dental relations Of most Impress
i've magnitude. l fully appreciate
these things, and am not unmindful of
the great number of our people who
are concerned in such vast and divers
ifiEd interests. In the performance of
the serious duty which the Congress
has imposed upon me, and in the ex-
ercise, upon Just occasion, OF the power
conferred under the act referred to. !
shall feel myself bound to inflict no
unnecessary damage or injury upon
any portion of our people; but shall,
nevertheless, be ubfinchingly guided
by a sense OF what the self respect aud
dignity Of the nation demand In
the maintenance Of these, and in the
support Of the honor of the govern
ment beneath which every citizen may
repose in safety, no eacrifce of per-
sonal or private interests shall be con-
adhered as against the general welfare.
Yours very truly,